Trustees Vote to Interview Deputy Superintendent Wendy Johnson for Superintendent

Boise School District Board of Trustees Votes to Interview Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, 
Wendy Johnson for the position of Superintendent

Boise, ID  -- 01/21/2026 – During a special Board meeting tonight, Boise School District Board of Trustees voted to officially accept the retirement of Superintendent Lisa Roberts. Following a discussion regarding the process to hire a new Superintendent, the Board voted to interview current Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Wendy Johnson. The interview will take place in executive session at a special Board meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29th, 2026. 

“We work very hard to develop our talented staff and are very fortunate to have a deep bench within our administrative leadership team,” said Board President Dave Wagers. “In many ways, public education and our district are at a tipping point in terms of public trust, transparency and accountability. It only makes sense that our process of hiring a new superintendent begins with someone who has established herself not only as a highly respected educator in Idaho, but also as a champion for every student, family, and employee in our community.”

Members of the community are invited to provide comments regarding the Board’s search for a new superintendent by emailing the board at trustees@boiseschools.org.

Wendy Johnson currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning and brings more than 30 years of experience in public education to the role. She has served Idaho students since 1994 as a teacher, administrator, including as Superintendent of the Kuna School District from 2013 to 2024.

Throughout her career, Johnson has led initiatives in early childhood education, expanded learning opportunities, strengthened partnerships, and advanced accountability and transparency. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration among students, educators, families, and the community to support student achievement and long-term success.

The Board also considered interviewing current Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Nick Smith. Mr. Smith, however, respectfully declined the opportunity to be considered and was clear that while leading our district would be an honor and something he aspires to, he has many years left in his career and at this time, his primary focus is on remaining as active and present in the lives of his three young boys as possible.